Pangloss said:
Is homeopathy the exception that proves the rule? The interesting question is, why does it survive in the absence of evidence? I'll accept my own challenge, pop a herbal brain stimulant, say a little prayer, and head into it 
.
Is it? I would argue instead that homeopathy is typical, almost prototypical, of a woo-woo practice in offering nothing (beyond an expensive placebo) and carrying with it the potential of substantial financial and opportunity cost. I would lump almost all forms of "alternative medicine" into the same category (it doesn't matter much whether you are treated ineffectively by sugar pills or by crystals). I would also put all forms of divinatory magic (from fortune telling through dowsing), spirit consultation, et cetera.
If you really think that homeopathy is an exception, you should be able to provide a set of examples of woo-woo practices that do have some positive benefit.
As to why they persist? I suspect it's simple fear, laziness, and greed. For example (and on a personal note), one of my pets is currently (as I write) in surgery at a veterinary hospital for what we hope is not a malignant tumor. (The surgeon, fortunately, is fairly confident.)
The risks involved are substantial -- she has a non-negligible chance of dying under the anaesthetic before the surgeon even opens her up. The costs involved are also substantial; more than a week's gross wages according to the estimate,
plus additional expenses if something goes wrong. And, to be honest, I'm afraid not only of losing my beloved pet, but also of her having a substantially reduced quality of life afterwards, and of simply financial exigency -- being unable to pay for her needed treatment.
Wouldn't it be wonderful if someone would offer me an
effective treatment that carried with it no risks, something that I could give to her at home, that cost only as much as a hamburger? I'd leap at such a treatment like a trout to a fly.
Homeopaths will offer me almost everything I ask for. Everything except the "effective" bit. And they won't even tell me that -- they will tell me, and prove it with glowing testimonials, that homeopathy is in fact
more effective than conventional medicine such as surgery. Crystal huggers, faith healers, etc. will all give me a much better sounding treatment.
Really, it's no different than buying a used car. "Of course" this car doesn't have any problems with the transmission, and I should have no problems getting it to pass inspection. If this product doesn't lose me forty pounds in as many days, I can get my money back, risk-free. The Grand Pooh-Bah of Nigeria really does need my help getting a quintillion dollars out of his frozen ass(ets). Salesmen lie, and we believe them, because it's easier and short-term cheaper than finding an honest genuine solution.
